The main difference between this and the other Pokemon’s is quite simple. This is a GBA game, therefore we have shiny colour graphics and a wonderful soundtrack and menu system. This game looks like Pokemon should. You can see the monsters in full colour and high detail. Although this game will not win any for it’s looks, after all, it’s not or intricately detailed like Castlevania, they are pretty much spot on for a game of this type. Too much detail, bells and whistles and you’d be far too distracted to fight properly!

One thing that always attracted me to the Pokemon titles is the playability. You can pick this title up at anytime and encounter something exciting or challenging. It’s the perfect GBA title for a long road trip or holiday. You can leave the game at any time and be guaranteed to want to have another go in ten minutes. It’s hugely entertaining trying to catch the monsters and defeat all challengers; it’s fun lies in its simplicity.

Another new feature is the Pokeblocks. These ‘sweets’ (look surprisingly like ‘supplements’ to me) effectively power up your pokemon, adding to its stats for Beauty, Cool, Strength and other similar statistics. They don’t really effect the game unless you partake in the contests that are scattered around the cities. If you win these contests, your Pokemon will receive ribbons, to make them extra special when you… you…. errr… switch your GBA off. They might not do much, but hey, it’s the taking part that counts right?

Now, there are a few points with Pokemon Ruby that need to be said. The first thing is that for a GBA title, not enough has really changed. Granted, there are better graphics and to change the winning game play would be suicide (Pokemon Snap anyone?), but other extras could have been thrown in. The Pokemon shows are fun (like Crufts for strange beasts) but their needs to be something that shows why it’s a GBA game and not just a pretty Gameboy game. Perhaps around 400 monsters instead of 200 would have been nice. I really don’t know, I just feel like there is something missing that would of made this title truly outstanding.

As it stands Pokemon Ruby (or Sapphire) makes for a fun game. I would recommend for both kids and adults alike. It may be childish, it may be simple, but who cares when it’s this much fun?

Poke-tastic.

85%

By Ben Jackson